bigger passenger

[momof3cruisers]

If the flight is oversold, the COS will be denied boarding if they can't get a volunteer.

 

This would make sense to me, but it does not say that anywhere in the policy. However, it simply says that if it is determined at the airport that an extra seat is needed, they WILL be accommodated. It's a bizarre policy IMO, but Southwest seems to have decided that is what works best.

[ducklite]

This would make sense to me, but it does not say that anywhere in the policy. However, it simply says that if it is determined at the airport that an extra seat is needed, they WILL be accommodated. It's a bizarre policy IMO, but Southwest seems to have decided that is what works best.

 

 

They will be accommodated, but not necessarily on that flight. The devil is in the details. They will not bump someone off involuntarily to free a seat for a person who needs a second and didn't make that reservation. They will ask for volunteers, but if they don't get one, the COS will be denied boarding on that flight. It will not be considered an involuntary denial either, as the COS didn't book the seat they needed as is their responsibility to begin with.

 

Frankly there is no place WN flies that is so expensive as to be prohibitive to book the second seat and wait for the refund. In my opinion if someone doesn't have an extra $500, perhaps they should rethink having the funds for a vacation. It's no different than renting a vacation home or flat and putting down the security deposit then getting it back two weeks after the trip.

[xxoocruiser]

Have any of you traveled on Jetblue and if so what was their regular seating like? I am a larger person (size 22-24) who also has to wear braces that goes from my toes up to a belt around my waist.

 

I can fit in a seat on Southwest, but it is tight with the braces. Are the seats on Jetblue wider?

 

Jet Blue states the seat width for all there aircraft on it's website. Just go to its website and enter SEATS in the search section. For some reason when I tried attaching the link on the post it open properly.

 

If you have booked an aisle seat you may find the following information to be helpful.

 

Because there are passengers that must be transferred by wheelchair into the seat all airlines are required by the Air Carrier Access Act to have some aisle seats that the arm rest can be raised to allow for ease of transfer. As a result of person of size or as in you case having a brace that goes to waist that's in an aisle seat with moveable armrest will be more comfortable during the flight. If the armrest is placed in the release position you are required to have your seat belt on at all times .

 

Excluding bulk head seats and emergency exit row seats all newer Boeing Aircraft and Airbus Aircraft generally have aisle seats with moveable armrests throughout the plane. Occasionally you'll find an aircraft that only have moveable aisle armrests on only one side of the aircraft.

 

Armrest releases vary by type of seats used on the aircraft. All releases are discretely hidden as a safety precaution to prevent unwanted release during takeoff and landing. Most can be located underneath the armrest. (refer to photo in link below)

 

Some releases are located underneath the rubber armrest cover at the bottom edge near the pivot point where the armrest is attached to the seat frame. To find the release, feel for an indent on the bottom edge of the rubber armrest cover, press the button and move the armrest upward. To lock back into place, move the armrest back into its "down" position.

 

Less common there are some planes the release is located between the seat back cushion and the inside of the armrest. To locate, place your hand between the armrest and the seat back cushion at the armrest pivot point. Once located, press the button and move the armrest upward. It will lock in place when returned to the original position.

 

If not able to determine if the aisle seat has a moveable armrest or if you need assistance in releasing the armrest the flight attendant can assist.

 

The photo in this link shows the most common location of the release lever : http://brokensecrets.com/2011/01/17/raising-the-airplane-aisle-armrest/

Edited August 19, 2015 by xxoocruiser

[ducklite]

Keep in mind the with the armrest up the chances of being repeatedly banged into but people getting on the plane, going to the lag, and the drink cart is very high. In fact guaranteed.

[momof3cruisers]

They will be accommodated, but not necessarily on that flight. The devil is in the details. They will not bump someone off involuntarily to free a seat for a person who needs a second and didn't make that reservation. They will ask for volunteers, but if they don't get one, the COS will be denied boarding on that flight. It will not be considered an involuntary denial either, as the COS didn't book the seat they needed as is their responsibility to begin with.

 

.

 

I am curious where you are finding all of these facts. Have you spoken with someone at Southwest? How do you know it wouldn't be classified as involuntary?

 

The thing is, it says the person can do preboarding to secure their extra seat. But especially with unassigned seating, they don't always know if everyone is going to show up since that is why airlines oversell flights in the first place. I find myself doubtful that if everyone does show up and they are overbooked that they would send someone onto the plane to remove the COS. I think it far more likely that the people who are late to check in will be the ones bumped.

[pusywillow]

I am curious where you are finding all of these facts. Have you spoken with someone at Southwest? How do you know it wouldn't be classified as involuntary?

 

The thing is, it says the person can do preboarding to secure their extra seat. But especially with unassigned seating, they don't always know if everyone is going to show up since that is why airlines oversell flights in the first place. I find myself doubtful that if everyone does show up and they are overbooked that they would send someone onto the plane to remove the COS. I think it far more likely that the people who are late to check in will be the ones bumped.

 

Not on Southwest, but another airline, an agent came onto the plane and escorted me and my bf off the plane. They put us on another flight hours later in the last row by the lavatories. Not fun.

[momof3cruisers]

Not on Southwest, but another airline, an agent came onto the plane and escorted me and my bf off the plane. They put us on another flight hours later in the last row by the lavatories. Not fun.

 

Why? Did you have an extra seat? Did one of you not fit and another person complain?

[pixiestyx]

Sure they will. They will not IDB someone due to the lack of preplanning by another customer. Wh should your refusal to make the needed accommodation disrupt someone else's travels? What makes you so special?

 

 

Actually Southwest's policy is that if a COS requires an additional seat at the airport then they will be accommodated. In the case of a full flight, if there are no volunteers then the last to check-in will be reassigned another flight.

 

They would obviously prefer that you book an extra seat in advance so that they can appropriately determine passengers for the flight.

[pusywillow]

Why? Did you have an extra seat? Did one of you not fit and another person complain?

 

Both of us could sit in our seats with the armrests down. I was thinner back then. The woman who was to sit next to us complained and the agents asked no questions. She really wanted to sit with her friend who also had a middle seat. So now they got what they wanted and we were forced off. You are at the mercy of whatever the airline wants to do.

 

From then on, I always bought an extra seat so that could never happen again.

[coach_anne]

Not on Southwest, but another airline, an agent came onto the plane and escorted me and my bf off the plane. They put us on another flight hours later in the last row by the lavatories. Not fun.

 

How awful. Please name that airline so we bigger pax, and people who care for us, can make the choice never to fly with them.

[ducklite]

I am curious where you are finding all of these facts. Have you spoken with someone at Southwest? How do you know it wouldn't be classified as involuntary?

 

 

 

The thing is, it says the person can do preboarding to secure their extra seat. But especially with unassigned seating, they don't always know if everyone is going to show up since that is why airlines oversell flights in the first place. I find myself doubtful that if everyone does show up and they are overbooked that they would send someone onto the plane to remove the COS. I think it far more likely that the people who are late to check in will be the ones bumped.

 

 

You are looking at this wrong. The second seat not booked in advance and requested at the gate would be considered the late check in. Think about it.

[ducklite]

Actually Southwest's policy is that if a COS requires an additional seat at the airport then they will be accommodated. In the case of a full flight, if there are no volunteers then the last to check-in will be reassigned another flight.

 

They would obviously prefer that you book an extra seat in advance so that they can appropriately determine passengers for the flight.

 

 

The last one to check in would be the second seat requested at the gate. Think about it.

[ducklite]

Both of us could sit in our seats with the armrests down. I was thinner back then. The woman who was to sit next to us complained and the agents asked no questions. She really wanted to sit with her friend who also had a middle seat. So now they got what they wanted and we were forced off. You are at the mercy of whatever the airline wants to do.

 

 

 

From then on, I always bought an extra seat so that could never happen again.

 

 

The armrests might have been down but maybe you were still spilling into her space? I have complained in a situation like that in the past. I paid for my space and expect to use it, not lose 25% of it to someone who realistically should have booked a second seat.

[pixiestyx]

The last one to check in would be the second seat requested at the gate. Think about it.

 

 

Actually, no. Assuming the COS checked in online then they are simply getting the accommodation they need for the flight at the airport. The second seat isn't some phantom passenger that needs to check-in on its own.

 

Do you work for Southwest? Have you used or travelled with somebody that has used this policy?

 

You may not like their policy and that is certainly your right. You can also choose not to fly Southwest. But arguing that black is white seems silly.

[pusywillow]

The armrests might have been down but maybe you were still spilling into her space? I have complained in a situation like that in the past. I paid for my space and expect to use it, not lose 25% of it to someone who realistically should have booked a second seat.

 

Believe me, I was not spilling into her space. I had a seat on the aisle and the inch I may have spilled over would have gone into the aisle. She never even sat in the seat. She had this planned in advance so she could have an empty seat next to her. She was a tall woman and sitting in the middle seat was something she didn't want to do.

[xxoocruiser]

For what it's worth just about every flight I've been on with Southwest has been oversold. Just about every flight I observed a COS having purchased a second seat being approached by a Southwest gate agent asking if they would relinquish the seat for a full refund so that a standby passenger could get on the flight. The Southwest gate agent could clearly see the that the individual was a COS and still asked that the seat be relinquished. 99% the COS relinquished the seat for the refund. In the end Southwest doesn't even abide by it's own policy regarding COS.

[pixiestyx]

For what it's worth just about every flight I've been on with Southwest has been oversold. Just about every flight I observed a COS having purchased a second seat being approached by a Southwest gate agent asking if they would relinquish the seat for a full refund so that a standby passenger could get on the flight. The Southwest gate agent could clearly see the that the individual was a COS and still asked that the seat be relinquished. 99% the COS relinquished the seat for the refund. In the end Southwest doesn't even abide by it's own policy regarding COS.

 

 

I saw this happen once. I had no skin in the game as it wasn't anybody I knew but I've never wanted to punch anybody so bad in my life.

 

The COS relinquished her seat as the flight attendant explained there was a very distraught woman who needed to get home.

 

The woman gets on the plane and then proceeds to complain about the COS taking up too much space and had the audacity to ask her to be moved! The poor woman was about to cry and got dirty looks the entire flight and the woman continued to jab little comments.

 

Under any other circumstances, I'd have let my mouth fly but I'm a bit squeamish in the air as you just don't have the same rights as on the ground. I couldn't chance being considered a flight risk.

 

That horrid creature is lucky I never saw her after we got off the plane, I was livid!!!

[ducklite]

I saw this happen once. I had no skin in the game as it wasn't anybody I knew but I've never wanted to punch anybody so bad in my life.

 

The COS relinquished her seat as the flight attendant explained there was a very distraught woman who needed to get home.

 

The woman gets on the plane and then proceeds to complain about the COS taking up too much space and had the audacity to ask her to be moved! The poor woman was about to cry and got dirty looks the entire flight and the woman continued to jab little comments.

 

Under any other circumstances, I'd have let my mouth fly but I'm a bit squeamish in the air as you just don't have the same rights as on the ground. I couldn't chance being considered a flight risk.

 

That horrid creature is lucky I never saw her after we got off the plane, I was livid!!!

 

 

Wow. That was really wrong to ask for a favor and then complain.

 

Personally I think that WN should have a policy that if someone has purchased the second seat that they keep it. Period. If the flight is sold out there should not be a refund. I think that is where they muddy their own waters.

 

That said, it's too bad that the COS didn't stand up for herself and point out that she had done a favor and the complainer should shut up other than thanking her, otherwise she would still be on the ground in Cleveland (or wherever the flight originated.).

[momof3cruisers]

Both of us could sit in our seats with the armrests down. I was thinner back then. The woman who was to sit next to us complained and the agents asked no questions. She really wanted to sit with her friend who also had a middle seat. So now they got what they wanted and we were forced off. You are at the mercy of whatever the airline wants to do.

 

From then on, I always bought an extra seat so that could never happen again.

That is terrible. I'm so sorry that happened to you.

Great to see you are still a judgmental person. $500 to you and $500 to someone else may be quite a bit different.

 

Heck yes, $500 can go a long way in fun money on a vacation.

 

And I am not looking at this wrong, thanks. Say I get to the airport two hours early. I request an extra seat and am assigned said seat. 35 min before the flight, a couple who got stuck in customs while disembarking from their cruise finally makes it to the airport. They have not checked in online as they were on a cruise. They are last to check in.

[pusywillow]

That is terrible. I'm so sorry that happened to you.

 

Thank you. It was terrible. We were just escorted off, no reason given, and no one would answer any of my questions. We were just told "Sit Down" when we got to the gate at the terminal. After the supervisor left an agent finally admitted to me what happened when I pressed him for a reason.

 

This happened on US Aiways which soon won't be flying, because of a buyout.

 

I hope no one on here has to go through this. Please think twice before you complain about someone and have some compassion.

[coach_anne]

Say I get to the airport two hours early. I request an extra seat and am assigned said seat. 35 min before the flight, a couple who got stuck in customs while disembarking from their cruise finally makes it to the airport. They have not checked in online as they were on a cruise. They are last to check in.

There is wifi available on every cruise. They could have checked in.

 

Also, on SWA you can pay a few bucks when you buy your tix, and automatically be checked in 24 hrs. before flight time.

[momof3cruisers]

There is wifi available on every cruise. They could have checked in.

 

Also, on SWA you can pay a few bucks when you buy your tix, and automatically be checked in 24 hrs. before flight time.

 

Yes, they could have. I was simply giving an example of someone not checking in early.

 

I decided to call Southwest. They confirmed what pixies tux said above. Twice. Knowing that you may get a different answer, I called back and spoke to someone else. They both said the same thing. The COS will be accommodated. You need to talk to a ticketing agent, not the gate agent after you clear security. If a flight is oversold, they will look for volunteers. If they don't get them, the last people to check in will be bumped.

[GUT2407]

There is wifi available on every cruise. They could have checked in.

 

Also, on SWA you can pay a few bucks when you buy your tix, and automatically be checked in 24 hrs. before flight time.

 

Well there may be wifi but unless you have a package with minutes on it it may be no use to you.

[ducklite]

Well there may be wifi but unless you have a package with minutes on it it may be no use to you.

 

 

I have cruised on four different lines and all offered a pay by the minute as well as packages. There is also the option of asking a friend or relative back home to check you in.

Edited August 21, 2015 by ducklite

[ducklite]

Yes, they could have. I was simply giving an example of someone not checking in early.

 

 

 

I decided to call Southwest. They confirmed what pixies tux said above. Twice. Knowing that you may get a different answer, I called back and spoke to someone else. They both said the same thing. The COS will be accommodated. You need to talk to a ticketing agent, not the gate agent after you clear security. If a flight is oversold, they will look for volunteers. If they don't get them, the last people to check in will be bumped.

 

 

And it is possible that the last ticket checked in will be the one assigned last--to the COS. I still haven't gotten the answer as to what makes someone feel so special that it is acceptable to disrupt the travel plans of others because they know they need an extra seat but don't book it in advance?

Edited August 21, 2015 by ducklite